Powerfest hits Whyalla

BURNOUT: Fine-tuned burnout cars will be rumbling down Roberts Terrace as part of the Xtreme Powerfest on the Weekend.

Saturday night will be alright for close and personal contact with some of the highest powered cars in Australia.

As part of the Xtreme Powerfest #8 on Saturday and Sunday this weekend (February 10 and 11), there will be a “Beach Cruise” at the Whyalla foreshore, in the western carpark, on Saturday evening.

From 6pm to 10pm, some of the most amazing burnout cars will be gently rumbling around down Roberts Terrace and the western foreshore carpark for punters to see them away from the racetrack in a more intimate environment.

They’ll be no burnouts, just a chance for everyone to admire these 1000-2000hp cars. Burnouts are only for the track in a controlled environment.

What you will see is these cars doing a few laps of the carpark and then stopping where people can get even closer to these impressive machines and have a chat with the drivers and crew.

Xtreme Powerfest #8 promoter Danny Grmusa said the Beach Cruise was a first for Whyalla and sure to be popular with motor enthusiasts and anyone who wants to come down to the foreshore for a relaxed evening on Saturday night.

“People are going to see some cars close up that they’d never normally be able to,” Danny said.

“This is a unique event and while the cars will cruise around, it will also be like a show and shine as the cars park and the drivers get the chance to talk to a few people about their machines.”

Saturday and Sunday is the first ever Xtreme Powerfest #8 burnout extravaganza in our city, bringing millions of dollars of super-charged machines to test themselves and their drivers out at the Steel City Drags track.

The City of Whyalla is a sponsor of the event that not only promotes this edgy form of motor sport but also encourages local drivers to test themselves in the right environment … on the track in a supervised event.

This isn’t about hooning, there’s too much money invested in these machines, it is about motor-sport enthusiasts showing their skills and the result of the work they’ve put into these impressive cars. Boasting anywhere between 1000 and 2000hp, Whyalla is set to see 30 or more of the Australia’s top 100 burnout champs cruise into town with $10,000 on offer in a burnout competition.

The action out at the drags track starts on Saturday morning with a full schedule of racing and exhibitions. It continues again on Sunday with the finals for the various disciplines.

The event is coming to Whyalla from Victoria with promoters, brothers Danny and Peter Grmusa, promising a spectacular show.

Along with the full schedule which includes Powerskids (a test of distance while doing a burnout), Race Your Mates (a fun event for drivers) and the burnouts feature, there will also be a demonstration from famous burnout driver Peter Grmusa.

A multiple-championship driver, Peter will be bringing his famous XR 2000hp Falcon, called Atrisk, to Whyalla to show some tricks and the sort of style that has seen him feature in publications like Street Machine.

“This is great spectator sport for young and old,” Peter said.

“From the grandstands you are going to see some great driving, some unbelievable cars and just full-on excitement.”

For the Beach Cruise, from 5pm to 10pm Roberts Terrace will be closed just past Beach Road with access to the South Whyalla Football Club still available from Roberts Terrace. The western carpark and the foreshore road up to the football club will also be closed.